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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Greatness knows no age': House members hail Pacquiao on ring return despite draw

'Greatness knows no age': House members hail Pacquiao on ring return despite draw

Published Jul 20, 2025 02:09 pm

At A Glance

  • House members led by Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez congratulated boxing legend Manny Pacquiao Sunday, July 20 for showing the mettle of a Filipino in the latter's return fight against Mario Barrios, which ended in a majority draw.
Manny Pacquiao (Facebook)
Manny Pacquiao (Facebook)


House members led by Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez congratulated boxing legend Manny Pacquiao Sunday, July 20 for showing the mettle of a Filipino in the latter's return fight against Mario Barrios, which ended in a majority draw.
It was Pacquiao's first fight in four years, and at age 46 he showed that he could still hang with young champion in a brutal sport.
"Today, we witnessed two warriors leave it all in the ring. And though the judges called it a draw, for us Filipinos, the mere return of Manny Pacquiao to the global boxing stage—at 46 years old—is a victory in itself," Romualdez said in a statement after the bout in Las Vegas.
Romualdez, House Speaker of the previous 19th Congress, said that the former eight-division champion "showed the heart of a true champion: fearless, relentless, and full of pride for his country".
"A draw may not be the ending we hoped for, but it was a performance that reminded the world who Manny Pacquiao is—and who we are as a people: matatag, palaban, at may dangal (resilient, defiant, dignified)," he said.
"To Manny—thank you for once again putting our flag on the global stage. You proved that greatness knows no age, and that legacy is not about wins and losses—but the lives you continue to inspire," the Viisayan further said.
Romualdez also offered his respect to the 30-year-old Barrios "for a hard-fought battle".
4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino "Nonoy" Libanan also congratulated Pacquiao for his rousing return to the ring, going as far to say fhat he thought "Pacman" won.
"Senator Manny, heartfelt Congratulations on the Majority Draw which you got on your recent Championship fight although I feel that you won that fight," Libanan wrote in a Facebook post.
"You are an inspiration to a lot of people around the world especially our Kababayans with your performance. Again, Congrats!" added the former House minority leader.
For House "Young Guns" member Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, the 46-year-old Pacquiao's performance against the much younger Barrios proves that he's still the GOAT or greatest of all time.
"You still move like legacy, punch like history, and carry the kind of pride no scorecard can measure. You are, and will always be, our Pambansang Kamao, a true pride of the Philippines. Still #GOAT ," he wrote on Facebook.
Pacquiao is also a former House of Representatives member and senator.
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